Comments on: Huckabee understands Rev. Wright?

By: Jillmz

Jillmz — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:43:43 +0000

Hmm, really interesting thoughts, Mark. Thank you.

By: Jillmz

Jillmz — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:42:41 +0000

Aww…my favorite Charlie Brown line that so often applies to my life (or so it seems!) is, “I got a rock.”

Thanks – yeah – I agree with you. Again, getting a little clinical here, but it is serious denial – which is understandable when facing a nasty truth that involves so many of us one way or another (not saying all of course) – that keeps us treading here.

Still – I find that maybe, just maybe, at least we're moving some people off of the label-making and using. If we can keep chipping away at it…

The problem of course is the wear and tear on the tools (human in particular) that are being used to do the eroding. It is absolutely exhausting. And actually, that's one thing that Ralph Nader is probably very well-suited to talk about given his experience with consumer stuff.

Anyway – thanks.

By: mikkel

mikkel — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:30:13 +0000

Mark it's funny you mention that because from what I've read there is considerable evangelical opposition to Obama because they feel like his unity movement is idolatry too. Rick Warren got a ton of flack for working with Obama on combating AIDS in Africa from those quarters.

By: MJDaniels53

MJDaniels53 — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:40:26 +0000

In paragraph 3, I meant to say, “All of that is an element of Wright's critique and that, as well as empathy, may explain Huckabee's comments.”

Mark

By: MJDaniels53

MJDaniels53 — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:39:00 +0000

Frankly, while there is much in Wright's mode of communication with which one can disagree, his critique is as much Christian as it is African-American.

By that I mean that, drawing on the Christian prophetic tradition, he's calling Americans to account for the fusion of God and country. The two are not the same. Such fusion, which the scholars call syncretisim, was what the prophets railed against and the Ten Commandments prohibit. Any time any thing--country, family, whatever--is put on a par with God, that's idolatry.

All of that is an element of Wright's critique and that, as well as empathy. As a Christian, who happens to be white, I got that right away. Huckabee no doubt as well. Don't be surprised if other evangelical white Christians say the same thing. They're likely to get Wright more quickly than other conservatives.

There are, it seems to me, elements of idolatry in Wright's theology, as expressed in the YouTube sermons, and that too, will be a source of concern for Christians, whatever their color.

But, like Huckabee, I think that there should be some "slack" in any assessment and it should consist of an appreciation for the experiences to which African-Americans are subjected and the resentments those experiences breed. That too, is a Christian response which Huckabee evidences.

Mark

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:33:47 +0000

Huckabee's statement is consistent with his long-time record as a self-described “grace Christian”–i.e., despite his holding to theologically conservative views, he's not legalistic or into imposing them, but is rather embracing of others, thus he was criticized by some during the Baptist split of not siding with the ultra-conservatives, saying that other Baptists were plenty orthodox enough. His being personally conservative brought criticism from the left, yet his being tolerant of those more liberal brought criticism from the right.

By: T_Steel

T_Steel — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:23:35 +0000

He spoke an absolute human truth, Jill. It's just strange hearing it from the Right since they are in an absolute RICH LATHER over this issue (the humor level is extremely low though).

This is a dangerous issue to keep prodding simply because associations will promise to become the ISSUE over the issues. Now there's a picture of Bill Clinton and Rev. Jeremiah Wright together in 1998 (with Hillary Clinton in attendence - via Ben Smith's Blog). Now is Hillary and Bill "soiled" by the "Wright Monster"? Sheesh.

I'm like Charlie Brown these days: My stomach hurts...

By: Apt604

Apt604 — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 02:43:55 +0000

Spoken like a true class act.

By: Jillmz

Jillmz — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:52:59 +0000

But regardless of who said it, T-Steel, he is correct. Isn't that the whole point? It's almost like an ad unfolding in my mind's eye: no matter what you look like, what religion you follow or who you ancestors were, almost everyone can related to being marginalized and it feels lousy, plain and simple. Do I fear there's an ulterior motive by Huckabee? Eh – maybe. But in the end, the words that he spoke – those are correct, I think.

What do you think about the truth of what he said, T?

By: aviazn

aviazn — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:33:08 +0000

Shorter Huckabee: I said crazy things too!

By: Slamfu

Slamfu — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:12:44 +0000

Whats a GOP dittohead to think with things like this going on? Its almost….reasonable.

By: Media Districts Entertainment Blog » Huckabee understands Rev. Wright?

Media Districts Entertainment Blog » Huckabee understands Rev. Wright? — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:35:59 +0000

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By: Movies and Film Blog » Huckabee understands Rev. Wright?

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